Depression Symptoms Amongst Older Brazilian and Chinese Women Submitted to Different Social Distancing Measures Rigidness During COVID-19 Outbreak.

Abstract

It is plausible that depression symptoms and disrupting sleep quality were differently affected according to the rigidity of social distancing during the COVID-19 outbreak. To describe and compare depression symptoms and sleep quality amongst older Brazilian and Chinese women who were submitted to different social distancing measures (less rigid (Brazil) versus more rigid (China)). This observational cross-sectional study assessed urban older women who underwent home confinement with less (Brazil; n=1015) or more (China; n=644) rigidity. Socio-demographic correlates, general health information, depression symptoms [Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS- 15)], and sleep quality [Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)] were assessed through interviews. 1659 older women (66.74 ± 5.48 years old; 38.8% Chinese; 61.2% Brazilian) were included for analysis. 22% of Brazilians and 19.6% of Chinese women presented depression symptoms. The frequency of bad sleepers was 56.4% and 37.7% amongst Brazilian and Chinese older women, respectively. After adjusting for socio-demographic variables, general health status, and PSQI global score, Chinese women had a significantly higher score of depression symptoms (3.88 ± 0.13) compared to the Brazilians (3.26 ± 0.10; p < 0.001). The frequency of poor sleep quality was very high regardless of the country. After adjusting for confounders and sleep quality, older Chinese women had a significantly superior score of depression symptoms exacerbating psychological distress by confinement rigidness.